During a debate Thursday at JW Snacks in Craig, candidates who weren't debating had an opportunity to address Moffat County voters and discuss issues important to their races.

Colorado House District 57 Rep. Randy Baumgardner, R-Cowdrey, who is running for Colorado Senate District 8, could not make the debate and sent a surrogate to speak briefly to the crowd on his behalf.

His surrogate, local resident Rod Durham, read a written speech by Baumgardner that cited his experience as a small business owner, rancher and as a state legislator for rural Colorado, representing issues important to the community.

Durham also talked about why he supports Baumgardner.

“I support Randy Baumgardner because in the years he's been a representative, he's approachable,” Durham said. “You can call him. If you call him and leave a message, he'll call you back. You can reach him. And when he does call you back, he will listen.

“He's a man of integrity. He's a man of faith, and he's got good morals and values.”

Baumgardner’s opponent, Emily Tracy, D-Breckenridge, was invited to address the crowd even though she had no one to debate.

During her 15-minute speech Tracy highlighted her experience in child protection and as city council member in Canon City. She focused on the economy and education as her priorities, and said she would work across the aisle to stop the partisan bickering to get things done for the state of Colorado.

“We have to find a way to get the economy going again so that the middle class can stay strong and healthy and create that demand for the goods and services small businesses provide,” Tracy said.